Glen Perkins, Thad Levine discuss front office role with Twins

Glen Perkins has been busy since the baseball season ended, converting a barn on his property in Lakeville into a large woodworking shop.

And it was in this 35-by-65-foot space where Perkins sat down Thursday to discuss the possibility of starting another long-term project — by joining the Twins front office. Perkins, who confirmed that his 12-year playing career is over, spoke with General Manager Thad Levine about how he could help the organization in the future.

"I talked to Thad [Wednesday] for a long time," Perkins said. "I told them at the end of the season that I needed a little bit of down time. And we're setting it up that we will get back together when they return from spring training and then figure out what we can do."

The Twins already have Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, LaTroy Hawkins and Justin Morneau as special assistants to baseball operations, but they will discuss adding Perkins.

It was Levine who said, during a winter caravan stop Monday, that Perkins likely was retiring. Perkins, 34, had not commented on his future yet but was not upset that Levine brought it up.

Perkins said he approached Levine after the Twins lost to the Yankees in the wild card playoff game Oct. 3 and said he would like to talk about what's next for him.

"Obviously, we're not talking about playing," Levine deadpanned at the time, causing Perkins to laugh.

But Perkins has been thinking about a post-playing career over the past few seasons, during which he's battled neck, back and arm issues. And especially since he tore the labrum in his left shoulder early in the 2016 season. The surgery cost Perkins 16 months, and he was not the same dominant southpaw once he returned.

"It's one thing if you are 25-26 years old," Perkins said. "My shoulder was already wearing down as it was."

Perkins, a standout at Stillwater High and with the Gophers, was 32-25 with a 3.88 ERA in his career. His 120 saves are third most in club history, trailing Joe Nathan and Rick Aguilera. He was among players who embraced modern statistical analysis. He likes to examine spin rates and study mechanics. He feels he can help players by blending advanced information and his experience.

"I told them I have always envisioned myself doing something with analytics in the front office," he said. "And the most fun I've had playing baseball the last two years were my tours through the minor league while on rehabilitation. I talked to the kids and they asked questions and I felt like I had something to offer."

La Velle E. Neal III • 612-673-4888

La Velle E. Neal III is a baseball writer for the Star Tribune. He has over 20 years of experience covering the Minnesota Twins on and off the field. La Velle has helped out with basketball, football and college football coverage between baseball seasons.